Some of the classic vintage designs are still the best engagement ring picks of today. But do you know your filigree from your brilliant cuts? And how do you ensure your ring doesn’t just look ‘dated’?

Choose a sparkler that will stand the test of time with this advice on ring trends through the ages from Cerrone jeweller’s Nic Cerrone, designed with love…

1900s-1920s

They weathered the Great Depression and then entered the Art Deco movement, with engagement rings very much in vogue. “The engagement rings from 1900 through to the 1920s were similar in style, and often had more than one stone with filigree detail,” explains Nic. “Clusters were popular and stone shapes were usually round or cushion cut, but not what we know as a cushion cut today. They often had an illusion setting, which is designed to make the stone look bigger, as only the really wealthy could afford a large stone. Solitaires and diamond set bands on single centre stones emerged in the 20s, but still featured the filigree detailing of the more fancy designs.”

A modern spin on the 20s cluster from the current Cerrone collection, 18ct White Gold Multi Cut Diamond Ring, $28,900

Cerrone’s contemporary cushion cut, the ‘Sereno’ 18ct White and Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Yellow Diamond Ring, $94,000

As ‘brilliant’ today as it was in the 1920s… Cerrone’s spin on the ’round’, or ‘brilliant cut’ as it is also commonly referred to is a ‘Unico’ 18ct White Gold Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring, Cerrone, POA.

Diamond bands, brilliant cut solitaires, three-stone settings, emerald cut baguettes, Princess cut stones, all available at Cerrone.

Cerrone ‘Soave’ 18ct White Gold Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring, $90 000 – and ‘Gentile’ 18ct White Gold Radiant and Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring, $36,350.

Ever after… Essenza 18ct Rose and White Gold Argyle Pink Diamond Ring, $248,000.

1940s

With WW2 looming, there was a rush to the alter for many a serving soldier and his fair maiden. “During the 1940s, the single stone with a diamond band was still popular, as were three stones – they still used the filigree under the settings and also around the stones,” explains Nic. “Round stones were still popular, but they were often put in a square setting.”

Three stone settings are still popular today. Cerrone ‘Insieme’, White and Rose Gold Oval Argyle Fancy Orange Pink and White Diamond ring $60,000.

Playing with shapes. Oval stones with a halo of sparklers creating a diamond shape. From Cerrone’s current collection, a Gioia 18ct White Gold Oval and Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring, $12,500.

Round, square and oval centre stones with halo diamonds and diamond bands available at Cerrone.

1960s-1970s

The swinging 60s and flared 70s fashion movement extended beyond societies’ threads, with the rings showcasing more oval and pear shape stones. “The settings became simpler, more like the classic designs we still see today, for example a centre pear shape with baguettes on the shoulders,” explains Nic. “During the 70s, the stone settings became quite high or raised.”

From Cerrone’s current collection, the baguettes on the shoulders. Cerrone ‘Illuminato’ Platinum Oval, Baguette and Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring, $89,000.

A Halo (diamonds around the stone) pear shaped ring by Cerrone, 18ct White Gold Pear Shaped Diamond Earrings, $198 000, and Ring, $159,500.

1980s

Think Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, leg warmers, roller skates and bezel settings. “The 80s saw a lot of bezel settings (a band of metal encircling and overlapping the stone to hold it in place),” explains Nic. “There were also a lot of those over the top swirly designs with baguettes (long, rectangular shape stones) channel set (stones suspended between two bars or strips of metal) in them, which had fitted wedding bands to go next to them.”

2000

For the last decade, we’ve seen a return to simple designs, which will stand the test of time,”explains Nic. “Recently, Princess cuts were the stone everybody wanted, but the real trend now is the halo, which we put around everything. The round (or brilliant) is still the most popular, and always will be – fancy shapes just shuffle around a bit in the popularity stakes.”

Princess cut centre stones with diamond bands.

The future

“Classic will always be the most popular, along with diamond bands, and the halo will be around for a while yet,” explains Nic.

 

From Cerrone’s current collection, a halo encircles a ‘Sempre’ 18ct White Gold Oval Cut Diamond Split Band Ring, $61,000.

An example of a Halo ring (Diamonds around the stone). Cerrone 18ct White Gold Emerald cut Aquamarine and Shield cut Diamond Ring, $35,350.

What’s your engagement ring style? Are you happy with it? What advice do you have for other women when choosing a ring? Upload a pic of your dazzler here or share your experience and advice…